Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to disposable wearing articles and particularly to
disposable wearing articles such as disposable diapers, disposable toilet-training
pants, disposable incontinent pants or disposable menstruation pants using elastic
sheets for waist regions of the wearing articles.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, it is known to use elastic sheets for waist regions and thereby to
elasticize the waist regions in a transverse direction. For example, the disposable
diaper disclosed in PATENT DOCUMENT 1 (
JP 2008-228835 A) has a chassis formed of an inner sheet made of a non-elastic sheet and an outer
sheet made of an elastic sheet.
[0003] In the case of the diaper disclosed in PATENT DOCUMENT 1 (
JP 2008-228835 A), the elastic sheet is present on the bottom surface of the liquid-absorbent structure
in the front waist region as well as in the rear waist region. In consequence, the
liquid-absorbent structure is compressed toward the wearer's body and in close contact
with the wearer's body under contractile force of the elastic sheet in the front waist
region as well as in the rear waist region. Certainly, such arrangement is effective
to prevent urine leakage. However, excessively close contact of the liquid-absorbent
structure with the wearer's body may cause stuffiness to be generated within the diaper
and such stuffiness may cause the wearer's skin to suffer from skin irritation.
[0004] Therefore, it is desired to provide disposable wearing articles adapted to prevent
urine leakage, to improve breathability of the article, to restrict generation of
stuffiness within the diaper and to protect the wearer from skin irritation due to
such stuffiness.
Citation List
Patent Literature
Summary of Invention
[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a disposable wearing article
as recited by Claim 1.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0007]
[Fig. 1]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a diaper as one example of disposable wearing diaper.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the diaper as having been
flatly developed.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the diaper.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Fig. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] As shown in Figs. 1-4, the diaper 1 has a skin-facing side and a non-skin-facing
side and comprises a chassis 10 defining an outer shape of the diaper 1, a liquid
absorbent structure 30 and first and second elastic sheets 51, 52 each lying on the
skin-facing side of the chassis 10.
[0009] The diaper 1 has a front waist region 2 (first waist region), a rear waist region
3 (second waist region), a crotch region 4 extending between the front and rear waist
regions 2, 3, front and rear ends 5, 6 opposed to each other about the imaginary transverse
center line Q-Q and extending in the transverse direction X, and side edges 7, 7 opposed
to each other about the imaginary longitudinal center line P-P.
[0010] The opposite side edges 7, 7 describe concave curves in the crotch region 4 to fit
around the wearer's thighs. The opposite side edges of the front waist region 2 are
connected with the associated opposite side edges of the rear waist region 3 at side
seam spots 8 arranged along the respective side edges intermittently in the longitudinal
direction Y to form a waist-opening and a pair of leg-openings (See Fig. 1).
[0011] The chassis 10 comprises a first outer sheet 11 on the non-skin-facing side and defining
the front waist region 2 and a part of the crotch region 4 and a second outer sheet
12 defining the rear waist region 3 and a part of the crotch region 4. The first and
second outer sheets 11, 12 have respective skin-facing sides and non-skin-facing sides
wherein graphic displaying film sheets 17, 18 printed with graphics or the like (not
shown) which can be visually recognized through these first and second outer sheets
11, 12 from the outside are provided on the skin-facing sides of the first and second
outer sheets.
[0012] The first and second outer sheets 11, 12 are formed of a fibrous non-woven fabric.
It is possible to form these first and second outer sheets 11, 12 with multiple layers,
respectively, where at least the outermost layer in each of the multiple layers comprises
crimped fibers such as spun bonded filament fibers. Use of crimped fibers for the
first and second outer sheets 11, 12 advantageously allows the first and second outer
sheets 11, 12 to be put in close contact with the wearer's skin to provide for improved
texture because the crimped fibers have elastic stretch properties.
[0013] The chassis 10 further comprises a middle sheet 13 extending between the first and
second outer sheets 11, 12 to connect these two sheets 11, 12 to each other and defining
a part of the crotch region 4. The middle sheet 13 comprises, in turn, a generally
rectangular fibrous non-woven fabric sheet 15 facing the first and second outer sheets
11, 12 and a moisture-pervious but liquid-impervious plastic sheet 16 lying on the
skin-facing side of the fibrous non-woven fabric sheet 15 and being generally the
same as the fibrous non-woven fabric sheet 15 in shape as well as in size, wherein
these two sheets 15, 16 are bonded to each other by hot melt adhesive (not shown).
A fixing sheet 14 formed of a fibrous non-woven fabric is attached to the inner surface
of the middle sheet 13 facing the wearer's body and completely covers the middle sheet
13. The fixing sheet 14 has a width dimension larger than that of the middle sheet
13 and extends to occupy the crotch region 4 and the rear waist region 3. The middle
sheet 13 and the fixing sheet 14 may be formed, for example, of a spun bonded fibrous
non-woven fabric made of crimped fibers similarly to the first and second outer sheets
11, 12 or may be formed, for example, of an air-through fibrous non-woven fabric having
no elastic stretch properties.
[0014] In the front waist region 2, the first outer sheet 11 is folded in the longitudinal
direction Y along the front end edge 5 (first end edge) to form a front folded region
19 on the skin-facing side. Within the front folded region 10, two or more elastic
strands 20 as waist elastic members made of an elastomeric material are attached in
a contractible manner to be associated with a front waist region. In the rear waist
region 3, the second outer sheet 12 is folded in the longitudinal direction Y along
the rear end edge 6 (second end edge) to form a rear folded region 21 on the skin-facing
side. Within the rear folded region 21, two or more elastic strands 22 as waist elastic
members made of an elastomeric material are attached in a contractible manner to be
associated with a rear waist region. The elastic strands 20 for the front waist region
and the elastic strands 22 for the rear waist region are attached by hot melt adhesive
(not shown) under tension to extend along the front and rear end edges 5, 6, respectively,
in the transverse direction X.
[0015] The first outer sheet 11 is provided with a pair of elastic tapes 23, 23 attached
in a contractible manner to the inner surface of the first outer sheet 11 to extend
along the side edges 7, 7 of the crotch region 4 and to be associated with respective
front halves of the leg-openings. The second outer sheet 12 is provided with a pair
of elastic tapes 24, 24 attached in a contractible manner to the inner surface of
the second outer sheet 12 to extend along the side edges 7, 7 of the crotch region
4 and to be associated with respective rear halves of the leg-openings. The fixing
sheet 14 is laminated on the first and second outer sheet 11, 12 so that parts of
the respective front halves of the leg-openings and the entire rear halves of the
leg-openings are covered with the fixing sheet 14. These elastic members 23, 24 associated
with the front and rear halves of the respective leg-openings allow the peripheral
edges of the leg-openings to be held in close contact around the wearer's thighs.
[0016] The liquid-absorbent structure 30 extending across the crotch region 4 into the front
and rear waist regions 2, 3 is attached to the skin-facing side of the chassis 10.
The liquid-absorbent structure 30 has a rectangular shape which is longer in the longitudinal
direction Y than in the transverse direction X and comprises a bottom surface facing
the chassis 10, the skin-facing surface opposed to the bottom surface, front and rear
ends 31, 32 extending in the transverse direction X and opposite side edges 33, 33
extending in the longitudinal direction Y. The liquid-absorbent structure 30 extends
across the crotch region 4 into the front and rear waist regions 2, 3. More specifically,
the front end 31 lies over the inner surface of the first outer sheet 11, the rear
end 32 lies over the inner surface of the second outer sheet 12 and a middle section
extending between these front and rear ends 31, 32 lies over the inner surface of
the middle sheet 13.
[0017] The liquid-absorbent structure 30 comprises a liquid-absorbent core assembly 34 formed
by wrapping a mixture, for example, of fluff pulp fibers and super-absorbent polymer
particles with a liquid-dispersant sheet (not shown), a liner 35 lying on the skin-facing
side facing to cover a functioning surface of the liquid-absorbent core assembly 34,
a cover sheet 36 adapted to cover the bottom side of the liquid-absorbent core assembly
34 and a leak-barrier sheet 37 made of a plastic material sandwiched between the cover
sheet 36 and the liquid-absorbent core assembly 34.
[0018] The cover sheet 36 extends outward in the transverse direction X from opposite side
edges 33 of the liquid-absorbent core assembly 34 and these portions extending from
the side edges 33 are partially folded toward the imaginary longitudinal center line
P-P to form a pair of sleeve-like leak-barrier cuffs 38. Within the respective leak-barrier
cuffs 38, elastic strands 39, 40 made of an elastomeric material extending in the
longitudinal direction Y are attached in a contractible manner to the cover sheet
36 by hot melt adhesive (not shown). More specifically, within each of the leak-barrier
cuffs 38, there are provided a plurality of the elastic strands 39 and a plurality
of the elastic strands 40 outboard of the elastic elements 39 as viewed in the transverse
direction X. The elastic strands 39 extend across the crotch region 4 into the front
and rear waist regions 2, 3. Under contraction of these elastic strands 39, leak-barrier
cuffs 38 of the cover sheet 36 are spaced upward from the liner 35 to prevent body
waste from leaking sideways. A plurality of the elastic strands 40 outboard of the
elastic strands 39 extend in the longitudinal direction Y only in a middle section
of the crotch region 4 to define elastic belts extending along inguinal regions of
the wearer. The liquid-absorbent structure 30 is fixed to the inner surface of the
chassis 10 via the outer surface of the cover sheet 36 by hot melt adhesive (not shown).
[0019] First and second elastic sheets 51, 52 cover one side of, and are attached to, the
front and rear ends 31, 32, respectively, of the liquid-absorbent structure 30. The
first elastic sheet 51 is provided in the front waist region 2 to be sandwiched between
the bottom surface of the liquid-absorbent structure 30 and the first outer sheet
11 and is attached therebetween under tension in the transverse direction X in a contractible
manner. The second elastic sheet 52 is provided in the rear waist region 3 to lie
on the skin-facing side of the liquid-absorbent structure 30 and to be attached thereto
by hot melt adhesive (not shown) under tension in the transverse direction X in a
contractible manner. Respective opposite side edges of the first and second elastic
sheets 51, 52 are flush with the respective opposite side edges of the first and second
outer sheets 11, 12.
[0020] The first elastic sheet 51 has its outer surface bonded to the first outer sheet
11 by hot melt adhesive (not shown) and its inner surface bonded to the cover sheet
36 of the liquid-absorbent structure 30 in a first joining region 53. The first joining
region 53 is formed of hot melt adhesive, for example, intermittently applied to a
generally entire area over which the cover sheet 36 overlaps the first elastic sheet
51.
[0021] The second elastic sheet 52 extends in the longitudinal direction Y from the rear
end edge 6 toward the crotch region 4 to overlap the rear end 32 of the liquid-absorbent
structure 30 and extends outward in the transverse direction X from the opposite side
edges 33 of the liquid-absorbent structure 30. Outside the liquid-absorbent structure
30 in the transverse direction X, the second elastic sheet 52 and the second outer
sheet 12 are bonded to each other over entire area thereof, for example, by hot melt
adhesive (not shown). In the middle section of the second elastic sheet 52 overlapping
the liquid-absorbent structure 30, the second elastic sheet 52 is bonded to the structure
30 via a second joining region 54. The second joining region 54 comprises both side
joining sub-regions 54a extending in the longitudinal direction Y along the respective
leak-barrier cuffs 38 and an end joining sub-region 54b extending in the transverse
direction X along the rear end 32. In a region other than these second joining regions
54, i.e., the region lying at a distance from the end joining sub-region 54b toward
the crotch region 4 and surrounded by the end joining sub-region 54b and both side
joining sub-regions 54a, the second elastic sheet 52 is left free from the liquid-absorbent
structure 30 to define a non-joining region 55.
[0022] The front and rear folded regions 19, 21 are bonded to the first and second elastic
sheets 51, 52, respectively. The front folded region 19 has its inner end 19a partially
overlapping the liquid-absorbent structure 30. The front folded region is bonded to
the first elastic sheet 51 and the liquid-absorbent structure 30 by bonding means
such as hot melt adhesive (not shown). The front end 31 of the liquid-absorbent structure
30 may be covered with and bonded to the first outer sheet 11 forming the front folded
region 19 to prevent loss of the components such as fluff pulp fibers from the liquid-absorbent
core assembly 34. None of the joining regions, however, is present in the vicinity
of the inner end 19a of the front folded region 19 and, in consequence, the inner
end 19a of the front folded region 19 is not bonded to the liquid-absorbent structure
30. By leaving the inner end 19a adhesive-free flexibility of the first outer sheet
11 forming the front folded region 19 may be assured and skin-irritation which may
otherwise be experienced by the wearer can be restricted. In addition, the adhesive-free
region can function as a pocket adapted to prevent leak of body waste such as urine.
[0023] The inner end 21a of the rear folded region 21 slightly overlaps the second elastic
sheet 52 and is bonded to the second elastic sheet 52 in such overlapping region by
bonding means such as hot melt adhesive (not shown). The area over which the second
outer sheet 12 forming the rear folded region 21 and the second elastic sheet 52 overlap
each other may be minimized to maintain a desired level of breathability. While there
is possibility that the breathability might be suppressed in the region in which these
two sheets are laminated on each other, the lamination area may be minimized to restrict
such suppression of the breathability. In addition, lamination of the first and second
outer sheets 11, 12 on the first and second elastic sheets 51, 52, respectively might
lower contraction percentages of the first and second elastic sheets 51, 52, respectively.
However, the lamination area may be minimized to prevent the contraction percentage
from being lowered due to lamination.
[0024] In the diaper 1 arranged as has been described above, the first and second elastic
sheets 51, 52 are dimensioned to have respective sizes generally corresponding to
the sizes of the front and rear waist regions 2, 3, respectively, and attached to
the front and rear waist regions 2, 3 under tension in the transverse direction X
and in a contractible manner. With such unique arrangement, the diaper 1 can be put
on the wearer's body with good fitness generally over the entire areas of the front
and rear waist regions 2, 3, respectively. Use of the first and second elastic sheets
51, 52 allows the diaper 1 not only to fit around the wearer's body over a larger
range but also to prevent the diaper 1 from slipping down.
[0025] The first elastic sheet 51 lying under the bottom surface of the liquid-absorbent
structure 30 functions to compress the liquid-absorbent structure 30 in close contact
with the wearer's body. The front waist region 2 would otherwise be apt to be displaced
as the wearer sits down and/or moves his or her leg or legs, but the first elastic
sheet 51 functions to keep the front waist region 2 in close contact with the wearer's
ventral side and thereby effectively prevents body waste such as urine from leaking
along the ventral side of the wearer. By keeping the front waist region 2 in close
contact with the wearer's ventral side, the liquid-absorbent structure 30 is prevented
from bulging and, in consequence, the diaper 1 provides a neat and elegant appearance.
[0026] The second elastic sheet 52 lies on the skin-facing side of the liquid-absorbent
structure 30 and, upon contraction, can directly come in close contact with the wearer's
body to prevent body waste such as urine from leaking along the rear waist region
3. Upon contraction of the second elastic sheet 52, the liquid-absorbent structure
30 is spaced from the wearer's body to form a void space between the liquid-absorbent
structure 30 and the wearer's body. In the rear waist region 3 of the diaper 1, body
waste such as urine discharged by the wearer is apt to generate high humidity, causing
uncomfortable stuffiness and often skin irritation. However, the liquid-absorbent
structure 30 may be spaced from the wearer's body to improve the breathability and
thereby to prevent the stuffiness or skin irritation due to the stuffiness. Furthermore,
the second elastic sheet 52 is bonded to the respective leak-barrier cuffs 38 of the
liquid-absorbent structure 30 to leave the non-joining region 55 surrounded by the
joining regions 54a, 54b to form the pocket serving to prevent urine from leaking
beyond the waist-opening. In this way, the desired breathability is assured to prevent
the stuffiness and simultaneously leak of body waste such as urine can be prevented.
[0027] While the second elastic sheet 52 is bonded to the liquid-absorbent structure 30
by the second joining region 54, the side joining sub-regions 54a constituting the
second joining region 54 are formed in the respective leak-barrier cuffs 38. These
leak-barrier cuffs 38 are adapted to be spaced upward from the liner 35 on the skin-facing
side so that the second elastic sheet 52 bonded to these leak-barrier cuffs 38 also
may be spaced upward from the liner 35 facing the wearer's body as the respective
leak-barrier cuffs 38 are spaced upward from the liner 35. As a consequence, the pocket
formed by the non-joining region 55 can be correspondingly enlarged.
[0028] Preferably, a dimension R of the first elastic sheet 51 in the longitudinal direction
Y is set to be larger than a dimension S of the second elastic sheet 52 in the longitudinal
direction Y. In other words, the first elastic sheet 51 located in the front waist
region 2 may be dimensioned to be relatively large to ensure that the front waist
region 2, which would otherwise be apt to be displaced, is reliably kept in close
contact with the wearer's body. In contrast with this front waist region 2, in the
rear waist region 3, the behavior of the second elastic sheet 5, to keep the rear
waist region 3 in close contact with the wearer's body, can be well balanced with
the behavior thereof to space the liquid-absorbent structure 30 from the wearer's
body.
[0029] Preferably, a length dimension T of the front folded region 19 in the longitudinal
direction Y is set to be larger than a length dimension U of the rear folded region
21 in the longitudinal direction Y. Specifically, the dimension T of the front folded
region 19 may be set to extend beyond the front end 31 and the dimension U of the
rear folded region 21 may be set to extend beyond the outer end of the second elastic
sheet 52.
[0030] Preferably, both the first and second elastic sheets 51, 52 are formed of an elastic
fibrous non-woven fabric made of thermal fusible elastomer fiber having a basis mass
in a range of 20 to 50g/m
2, more preferably in a range of 30 to 40g/m
2 and a fiber density in a range of 0.01 to 0.04g/cm
3, more preferably in a range of 0.025 to 0.035g/cm
3. Specifically, a mixed fiber of thermoplastic polyurethane polymers with thermoplastic
polymers other than thermoplastic polyurethane polymers, for example, styrene-based
elastomers, polyolefin-based elastomers, vinyl chloride-based elastomers, amide-based
elastomers, polyolefin-based polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polystyrene
may be used to form the first and second elastic sheets 51,52.
[0031] It is also possible to form the first and second elastic sheets 51, 52 from a mixed
fiber of elastomeric fiber and non-elastomeric fiber. Use of such a mixed fiber is
effective to alleviate friction generated between the elastomeric fiber and the wearer's
skin. In other words, the non-elastomeric fiber may be mixed with the elastomeric
fiber to improve non-frictional contact with the wearer's skin and thereby to improve
flexibility and texture of the first and second elastic sheets 51, 52. In addition,
use of such mixed fiber allows stretch properties of the first and second elastic
sheets 51, 52 to be adjusted. When the mixed fiber is used, the first and second elastic
sheets 51, 52 comprising the mixed fiber is preferably subjected to a gear stretching
process in which there elastic sheets are passed through a pair of gear rolls in advance.
It should be noted here that the gear stretching process is well known to those skilled
in the art. The first and second elastic sheets 51, 52 are hydrophobic, breathable
and have leak-barrier property against body waste such as urine. It should be noted
that it is possible to modify the first and second elastic sheets 51, 52 to become
hydrophilic by appropriate treatment.
[0032] The first and second outer sheets 11, 12 are preferably formed by a thermally adhesive
spun bonded fibrous non-woven fabric having a basis mass in a range of 15 to 40g/m
2, more preferably in a range of 25 to 35g/m
2 and a fiber density in a range of 0.06 to 0.10g/cm
3, more preferably in a range of 0.07 to 0.09g/cm
3. It is also possible to form the first and second outer sheets 11, 12 with multiple
layers.
[0033] To form bonding means used to form the first and second adhesive regions 53, 54 and
the other bonding means, hot melt adhesive having a basis mass in a range of 1.0 to
5.0g/m2 may be applied in various well known patterns such as omega-pattern, spiral
pattern, dotted pattern, wavy pattern and reticular pattern. Such application may
be referred to as intermittent application. While the hot melt adhesive is not limited
to a particular type, rubber-based adhesive, for example, SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene)-based
or SIS (styrene-isoprene-styrene)-based adhesive may be preferably used to protect
the stretch properties of the first and second elastic sheets 51, 52 from affection
of the hot melt adhesive as reliably as possible.
[0034] Materials for the respective component members constituting the diaper 1 are not
limited to those described in this specification and the other materials of well known
art conventionally used in the relevant technical field may be selectively used. Furthermore,
the present invention is applicable, in addition to pant-type disposable diapers,
also to so-called open-type disposable diapers each having the front and rear waist
regions 2, 3 are not previously joined at the side seam spots 8 or the diaper in which
the front waist region 2, the rear waist region 3 and the crotch region 4 are continuously
formed.
[0035] The aspects of the present invention described above may be arranged in at least
following items:
- (i) A disposable wearing article (1) as recited by Claim 1.
[0036] The aspect of the present invention described in the above item (i) may provide one
or more of the following advantageous effects: In the first waist region, the first
elastic sheet serves to keep the liquid-absorbent structure in close contact with
the wearer's body and, in the second waist region, the second elastic sheet directly
comes in close contact with the wearer's skin and thereby to prevent leakage of body
waste such as urine. In the second waist region, in addition to the effect as has
been described just above, the liquid-absorbent structure is spaced from the wearer's
body under the effect of the second elastic sheet and thereby makes it possible to
prevent urine leakage, to improve breathability of the article, to restrict generation
of stuffiness within the diaper and to protect the wearer from skin irritation due
to such stuffiness.
[0037] Additionally, one or more of the following embodiments are provided in accordance
with further aspects, which may be taken in combination with or in isolation from
one another:
The liquid-absorbent structure may overlap the first elastic sheet and the second
elastic sheet may overlap the liquid-absorbent structure.
[0038] That is, preferably, no portion of the first elastic sheet lies above the liquid-absorbent
structure and no portion of the second elastic sheet lies below the liquid-absorbent
structure.
[0039] The first elastic sheet is preferably bonded to the liquid-absorbent structure only
on the bottom surface of the liquid absorbent structure and the second elastic sheet
is bonded to the liquid-absorbent structure only on the skin-facing surface of said
liquid-absorbent structure.
[0040] The first elastic sheet may be bonded to the liquid-absorbent structure in a first
joining region (53) formed between the first elastic sheet and the liquid-absorbent
structure.
[0041] The first joining region may extend over substantially the entire area over which
the liquid-absorbent structure overlaps the first elastic sheet. The first joining
region may be formed from adhesive that is intermittently applied. The adhesive may
comprise hot melt adhesive.
[0042] The liquid-absorbent structure has first and second ends (31, 32) provided respectively
in the first and second waist regions and extending in the transverse direction, the
second elastic sheet may overlap and cover the second end and be bonded to the liquid-absorbent
structure in a second joining region (54).
[0043] The second joining region may comprise both side joining sub-regions (54a) extending
in the longitudinal direction along opposite side edges (33) of the liquid-absorbent
structure and an end joining sub-region (54b) extending in the transverse direction
along the second end and remaining area of the second elastic sheet which overlaps
the liquid-absorbent structure is left free as a non-joining region (55). That is,
the second elastic sheet is bonded to the liquid absorbent structure only in the side
joining and end joining sub-regions.
[0044] The skin-facing surface of the liquid-absorbent structure may be formed along the
opposite side edges with leak-barrier cuffs (38) extending and contractible in the
longitudinal direction and adapted to be spaced from the liquid-absorbent structure
and the side joining sub-regions of the second joining region may be formed on the
leak-barrier cuffs.
[0045] The chassis has first and second end edges (5, 6) provided respectively in the first
and second waist regions and extending in the transverse direction and has a folded
region (19) folded in two layers along the first end edge and, on the skin-facing
side, the folded region overlapping and covering the first end of the liquid-absorbent
structure.
[0046] The folded region may be provided with waist elastic members (20) extending along
the first end edge in the transverse direction and attached thereto under tension
in contractible manner.
[0047] An inner end of the folded region may be free of adhesive, such that the folded region
defines a pocket. That is, an inner end of the folded region may not be bonded to
the liquid-absorbent structure.
[0048] A length dimension of the first elastic sheet in the longitudinal direction may be
larger than that of the second elastic sheet.
[0049] The first and second elastic sheets may be formed of a fibrous non-woven fabric containing
elastomeric fiber.
[0050] According to the embodiments in the above paragraphs, the advantageous effect(s)
set forth at (a) is/are better ensured. Further advantageous effects of the respective
embodiments may be obtained as discussed in the respective related descriptions.
[0051] The terms "first" and "second" used herein should be understood to be used merely
for the purpose of identify paired components and locations thereof. The term "first
waist region" used in the specification and Claims means one of the front and rear
waist regions and the term "second waist region" means the other of the front and
rear waist regions.
1. A disposable wearing article (1) comprising:
a chassis (10) which has a longitudinal direction (Y), a transverse direction (X),
a skin-facing side, a non-skin-facing side, a first waist region (2) corresponding
to a front waist region, a second waist region (3) corresponding to a rear waist region
and a crotch region (4) extending between said first and second waist regions,
a liquid-absorbent structure (30) extending across said crotch region into said first
and second waist regions and
elastic sheets (51, 52) which are respectively provided in said first and second waist
regions to be contractible in said transverse direction, wherein:
said liquid-absorbent structure has a bottom surface facing said chassis and a skin-facing
surface on said skin-facing side opposed to said bottom surface;
said elastic sheets comprise a first elastic sheet (51) lying in said first waist
region and a second elastic sheet (52) lying in said second waist region; and
said first elastic sheet is bonded to said bottom surface of said liquid-absorbent
structure and said second elastic sheet is bonded to said skin-facing surface of said
liquid-absorbent structure, characterised in that said chassis has first and second end edges (5, 6) provided respectively in said
first and second waist regions and extending in said transverse direction and a folded
region (19) folded in two layers along said first end edge (5) and, on said skin-facing
side, said folded region overlaps and covers a first end (31) of said liquid-absorbent
structure.
2. The disposable wearing article defined by Claim 1, wherein said liquid-absorbent structure
overlaps said first elastic sheet and said second elastic sheet overlaps said liquid-absorbent
structure.
3. The disposable wearing article defined by Claim 1 or 2, wherein said first elastic
sheet is bonded to said liquid-absorbent structure only on the bottom surface of said
liquid absorbent structure and said second elastic sheet is bonded to said liquid-absorbent
structure only on said skin-facing surface of said liquid-absorbent structure.
4. The disposable wearing article defined by any one of Claims 1 through 3, wherein said
first elastic sheet is bonded to said liquid-absorbent structure in a first joining
region formed between said first elastic sheet and said liquid-absorbent structure.
5. The disposable wearing article defined by any one of Claims 2 through 4, wherein the
first joining region extends over substantially the entire area over which the liquid-absorbent
structure overlaps the first elastic sheet.
6. The disposable wearing article defined by any one of Claims 1 through 5, wherein said
liquid-absorbent structure has first and second ends provided respectively in said
first and second waist regions and extending in said transverse direction, said second
elastic sheet overlaps and covers said second end and is bonded to said liquid-absorbent
structure in a second joining region.
7. The disposable wearing article defined by Claim 6, wherein said second joining region
comprises both side joining sub-regions extending in said longitudinal direction along
opposite side edges of said liquid-absorbent structure and an end joining sub-region
extending in said transverse direction along said second end and the remaining area
of said second elastic sheet which overlaps said liquid-absorbent structure is left
free as a non-joining region.
8. The disposable wearing article defined by Claim 7 wherein said skin-facing surface
of said liquid-absorbent structure is formed along the opposite side edges with leak-barrier
cuffs extending and contractible in said longitudinal direction and adapted to be
spaced from said liquid-absorbent structure and said side joining sub-regions of said
second joining region are formed on said leak-barrier cuffs.
9. The disposable wearing article defined by any preceding claim, wherein said folded
region is provided with waist elastic members extending along said first end edge
in said transverse direction and attached thereto under tension in contractible manner.
10. The disposable wearing article defined by any preceding claim, wherein an inner end
of said folded region is free of adhesive, such that the folded region defines a pocket.
11. The disposable wearing article defined by any one of Claims 1 through 10 wherein a
length dimension of said first elastic sheet in said longitudinal direction is larger
than that of said second elastic sheet.
12. The disposable wearing article defined by any one of Claims 1 through 11, wherein
said first and second elastic sheets are formed of a fibrous non-woven fabric containing
elastomeric fiber.
1. Tragbarer Einwegartikel (1), der Folgendes umfasst:
einen Grundkörper (10), der Folgendes aufweist: eine Längsrichtung (Y), eine Querrichtung
(X), eine der Haut zugewandte Seite, eine nicht der Haut zugewandte Seite, einen ersten
Taillenbereich (2), der einem vorderen Taillenbereich entspricht, einen zweiten Taillenbereich
(3), der einem hinteren Taillenbereich entspricht, und einen Schrittbereich (4), der
sich zwischen dem ersten und zweiten Taillenbereich erstreckt,
eine flüssigkeitabsorbierende Struktur (30), die sich über den Schrittbereich in den
ersten und zweiten Taillenbereich erstreckt, und
elastische Lagen (51, 52), die jeweils in dem ersten und zweiten Taillenbereich bereitgestellt
sind, um in der Querrichtung zusammenziehbar zu sein, wobei:
die flüssigkeitabsorbierende Struktur eine Unterseitenoberfläche, die dem Grundkörper
zugewandt ist, und eine der Haut zugewandte Oberfläche auf der der Haut zugewandten
Seite gegenüber der Unterseitenoberfläche aufweist;
die elastischen Lagen eine erste elastische Lage (51), die in dem ersten Taillenbereich
liegt, und eine zweite elastische Lage (52), die in dem zweiten Taillenbereich liegt,
umfassen; und
die erste elastische Lage zu der Unterseitenoberfläche der flüssigkeitabsorbierenden
Struktur gebunden ist und die zweite elastische Lage zu der der Haut zugewandten Oberfläche
der flüssigkeitabsorbierenden Struktur gebunden ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Grundkörper Folgendes aufweist: erste und zweite Endränder (5, 6), die jeweils
in dem ersten und zweiten Taillenbereich bereitgestellt sind und sich in der Querrichtung
erstrecken, und einen gefalteten Bereich (19), der in zwei Schichten entlang dem ersten
Endrand (5) gefaltet ist, und wobei auf der der Haut zugewandten Seite der gefaltete
Bereich ein erstes Ende (31) der flüssigkeitabsorbierenden Struktur überlappt und
bedeckt.
2. Tragbarer Einwegartikel wie im Anspruch 1 definiert, wobei die flüssigkeitabsorbierende
Struktur die erste elastische Lage überlappt und die zweite elastische Lage die flüssigkeitabsorbierende
Struktur überlappt.
3. Tragbarer Einwegartikel wie im Anspruch 1 oder 2 definiert, wobei die erste elastische
Lage zu der flüssigkeitabsorbierenden Struktur nur an der Unterseitenoberfläche der
flüssigkeitabsorbierenden Struktur gebunden ist und die zweite elastische Lage zu
der flüssigkeitabsorbierenden Struktur nur an der der Haut zugewandten Oberfläche
der flüssigkeitabsorbierenden Struktur gebunden ist.
4. Tragbarer Einwegartikel wie in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3 definiert, wobei die erste
elastische Lage zu der flüssigkeitabsorbierenden Struktur in einem ersten Verbindungsbereich
gebunden ist, der zwischen der ersten elastischen Lage und der flüssigkeitabsorbierenden
Struktur ausgebildet ist.
5. Tragbarer Einwegartikel wie in einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4 definiert, wobei sich der
erste Verbindungsbereich über im Wesentlichen die gesamte Fläche erstreckt, über die
die flüssigkeitabsorbierende Struktur die erste elastische Lage überlappt.
6. Tragbarer Einwegartikel wie in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5 definiert, wobei die flüssigkeitabsorbierende
Struktur erste und zweite Enden aufweist, die jeweils in dem ersten und zweiten Taillenbereich
bereitgestellt sind und sich in der Querrichtung erstrecken, die zweite elastische
Lage das zweite Ende überlappt und bedeckt und zu der flüssigkeitabsorbierenden Struktur
in einem zweiten Verbindungsbereich gebunden ist.
7. Tragbarer Einwegartikel wie im Anspruch 6 definiert, wobei der zweite Verbindungsbereich
Folgendes umfasst: beide Seitenverbindungteilbereiche, die sich in der Längsrichtung
entlang gegenüberliegenden Seitenrändern der flüssigkeitabsorbierenden Struktur erstrecken,
und einen Endverbindungsteilbereich, der sich in der Querrichtung entlang dem zweiten
Ende erstreckt, und die verbleibende Fläche der zweiten elastischen Lage, die die
flüssigkeitabsorbierende Struktur überlappt, als ein nicht verbindender Bereich freigelassen
ist.
8. Tragbarer Einwegartikel wie im Anspruch 7 definiert, wobei die der Haut zugewandte
Oberfläche der flüssigkeitabsorbierenden Struktur entlang den gegenüberliegenden Seitenrändern
mit Auslaufbarrierebündchen ausgebildet ist, die sich in der Längsrichtung erstrecken
und zusammenziehbar sind und zur Beabstandung von der flüssigkeitabsorbierenden Struktur
angepasst sind, und die Seitenverbindungsteilbereiche des zweiten Verbindungsbereichs
auf den Auslaufbarrierebündchen ausgebildet sind.
9. Tragbarer Einwegartikel wie in einem vorstehenden Anspruch definiert, wobei der gefaltete
Bereich mit elastischen Taillenelementen bereitgestellt ist, die sich entlang dem
ersten Endrand in der Querrichtung erstrecken und daran unter Spannung in zusammenziehbarer
Weise befestigt sind.
10. Tragbarer Einwegartikel wie in einem vorstehenden Anspruch definiert, wobei ein inneres
Ende des gefalteten Bereichs kein Haftmittel aufweist, sodass der gefaltete Bereich
eine Tasche definiert.
11. Tragbarer Einwegartikel wie in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10 definiert, wobei eine
Längenabmessung der ersten elastischen Lage in der Längsrichtung größer ist als die
der zweiten elastischen Lage.
12. Tragbarer Einwegartikel wie in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11 definiert, wobei die erste
und zweite elastische Lage aus einem faserförmigen Vliesstoff ausgebildet sind, der
elastomere Faser enthält.
1. Article à porter jetable (1) comportant :
une armature (10) qui a une direction allant dans le sens longitudinal (Y), une direction
allant dans le sens transversal (X), un côté orienté vers la peau, un côté non orienté
vers la peau, une première région au niveau de la taille (2) correspondant à une région
avant au niveau de la taille, une deuxième région au niveau de la taille (3) correspondant
à une région arrière au niveau de la taille et une région au niveau de l'entrejambe
(4) s'étendant entre lesdites première et deuxième régions au niveau de la taille,
une structure absorbant les liquides (30) s'étendant en travers de ladite région au
niveau de l'entrejambe jusque dans les première et deuxième régions au niveau de la
taille et
des feuilles élastiques (51, 52) qui sont respectivement mises en oeuvre dans lesdites
première et deuxième régions au niveau de la taille en mesure de pouvoir être contractées
dans ladite direction allant dans le sens transversal, dans lequel :
ladite structure absorbant les liquides a une surface inférieure orientée vers ledit
châssis et une surface orientée vers la peau sur ledit côté orienté vers la peau à
l'opposé de ladite surface inférieure ;
lesdites feuilles élastiques comportent une première feuille élastique (51) reposant
dans ladite première région au niveau de la taille et une deuxième feuille élastique
(52) reposant dans ladite deuxième région au niveau de la taille ; et
ladite première feuille élastique est collée à ladite surface inférieure de ladite
structure absorbant les liquides et ladite deuxième feuille élastique est collée à
ladite surface orientée vers la peau de ladite structure absorbant les liquides, caractérisé en ce que ladite armature a des premier et deuxième bords d'extrémité (5, 6) respectivement
mis en oeuvre dans lesdites première et deuxième régions au niveau de la taille et
s'étendant dans ladite direction allant dans le sens transversal et une région pliée
(19) pliée en deux couches le long dudit premier bord d'extrémité (5) et, sur ledit
côté orienté vers la peau, ladite région pliée chevauche et recouvre une première
extrémité (31) de ladite structure absorbant les liquides.
2. Article à porter jetable défini selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite structure
absorbant les liquides chevauche ladite première feuille élastique et ladite deuxième
feuille élastique chevauche ladite structure absorbant les liquides.
3. Article à porter jetable défini selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans
lequel ladite première feuille élastique est collée à ladite structure absorbant les
liquides uniquement sur la surface inférieure de ladite structure absorbant les liquides
et ladite deuxième feuille élastique est collée à ladite structure absorbant les liquides
uniquement sur ladite surface orientée vers la peau de ladite structure absorbant
les liquides.
4. Article à porter jetable défini selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans
lequel ladite première feuille élastique est collée à ladite structure absorbant les
liquides dans une première région d'assemblage formée entre ladite première feuille
élastique et ladite structure absorbant les liquides.
5. Article à porter jetable défini selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, dans
lequel la première région d'assemblage s'étend au-dessus de sensiblement toute la
zone sur laquelle la structure absorbant les liquides chevauche la première feuille
élastique.
6. Article à porter jetable défini selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans
lequel ladite structure absorbant les liquides a des première et deuxième extrémités
respectivement mises en oeuvre dans lesdites première et deuxième régions au niveau
de la taille et s'étendant dans ladite direction allant dans le sens transversal,
ladite deuxième feuille élastique chevauche et recouvre ladite deuxième extrémité
et est collée à ladite structure absorbant les liquides dans une deuxième région d'assemblage.
7. Article à porter jetable défini selon la revendication 6, dans lequel ladite deuxième
région d'assemblage comporte les deux sous-régions d'assemblage latérales s'étendant
dans ladite direction allant dans le sens longitudinal le long de bords latéraux opposés
de ladite structure absorbant les liquides et une sous-région d'assemblage d'extrémité
s'étendant dans ladite direction allant dans le sens transversal le long de ladite
deuxième extrémité et la zone restante de ladite deuxième feuille élastique qui chevauche
ladite structure absorbant les liquides est laissée libre sous la forme d'une région
de non-assemblage.
8. Article à porter jetable défini selon la revendication 7, dans lequel ladite surface
orientée vers la peau de ladite structure absorbant les liquides est formée le long
des bords latéraux opposés avec des revers à barrière anti-fuite s'étendant, et en
mesure de pouvoir se contracter, dans ladite direction allant dans le sens longitudinal
et adaptés pour être espacés par rapport à ladite structure absorbant les liquides
et lesdites sous-régions d'assemblage latérales de ladite deuxième région d'assemblage
sont formées sur lesdits revers à barrière anti-fuite.
9. Article à porter jetable défini selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel ladite région pliée comporte des éléments élastiques au niveau de la taille
s'étendant le long dudit premier bord d'extrémité dans ladite direction allant dans
le sens transversal et attachés dessus sous tension de manière à pouvoir se contracter.
10. Article à porter jetable défini selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel une extrémité intérieure de ladite région pliée est exempte d'adhésif,
de telle sorte que la région pliée définit une poche.
11. Article à porter jetable défini selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10,
dans lequel une dimension de longueur de ladite première feuille élastique dans ladite
direction allant dans le sens longitudinal est supérieure à celle de ladite deuxième
feuille élastique.
12. Article à porter jetable défini selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11,
dans lequel lesdites première et deuxième feuilles élastiques sont formées à partir
d'un tissu non tissé fibreux contenant de la fibre élastomère.